By Heitz Cellar
Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley

Wine Description
Since 1984, this outstanding vineyard has been part of the Heitz estate and produces one of our three single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. Nestled between Silverado Trail and Conn Creek on the fertile, eastern side of the Rutherford appellation, only the best blocks are selected for this terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon.

Composition
100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard
A prized stretch of vineyard land, with westward vistas, expansive sun, and rocky soil, Trailside Vineyard embodies the spirit of the heart of Napa Valley. A tapestry of sixteen blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, planted with seven different clones, in layers of eight different soil types covering eighty-five acres; our magical Trailside Vineyard is the quintessential expression of the Rutherford terroir. The alluvial soil, combined with a gradual slope toward Conn Creek, makes this site 'textbook perfect' for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. We have planted the vines on an east-west orientation to evenly ripen the fruit throughout the day with dappled, gentle sunlight, resulting in small berries and ultimately, a smooth and concentrated wine.

Production
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, each block from Trailside is crushed and fermented separately and remains unblended during its year in neutral oak tanks. Upon moving to 100% new French Limousin oak barrels, each lot is continuously tasted and evaluated for two years, after which the superior barrels are selected to become the Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines continue to age separately by lot for one more year in barrel, for a total of four full years in oak, before finally blending for bottling. Once bottled, the Trailside continues to mature for another year until its release from our cellar.
[Information provided by Heitz Cellar]
[Information is not vintage specific]

Wine: Heitz Cellar, Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, USA 2017
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035
Review Date: 02/13/2023
Reviewed By: Jonathan Cristaldi
Tasting Notes: Fashionably fragrant, it leads with macerated Bing cherry, bay laurel, sage, and a subtle minty note. Medium-bodied, soft and long, with plush tannins and a beautiful vein of ironstone minerality. Finishes with fragrant brown spices and notes of walnut husk. [...]

Wine: Heitz Cellar, Rutherford - Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Score/Rating: 94
Review Date: 01/17/2023
Reviewed By: Miranda Franco
Tasting Notes: Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Heitz Cellar Trailside is richly layered, with lush flavors and impeccable balance. In the glass, dark fruits take the lead with bold aromas of cherries, currants, and blackberries, followed by rose petals and cassis. Then, the savory elements kick in on the palate with crushed sage, bay leaf, and subtle mineral notes. It is the perfect, flavorful, full-bodied, palate-coating, fresh Cabernet. This is drinking beautifully now, but it is likely to get even better with a bit more age.

Wine: 2017 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard
Score/Rating: 93+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2040
Review Date: 05/31/2023
Reviewed By: Joe Czerwinski
Tasting Notes: From a vineyard on the eastern side of the Rutherford AVA, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard boasts cedar and dusty earth shadings alongside cherries and redcurrants. It's medium-bodied, with more focus and tension than the Martha's but perhaps a bit less generosity and richness. Long and dusty on the finish, it promises to age well for up to two decades.

Wine: Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Trailside Vineyard 2017
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: Drink now through 2036
Review Date: 11/15/2023
Reviewed By: James Molesworth
Tasting Notes: Stylish, with sleek, racy mulberry and warmed cassis notes that are nicely defined, laced liberally with red tea, anise and apple wood. Shows subtle mesquite, mint and iron flashes in the background throughout. Nicely done for the vintage. Drink now through 2036.

Wine: Heitz 2017 Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 09/01/2023
Reviewed By: Jim Gordon
Tasting Notes: Hearty and full-bodied, this black cherry and blackberry-scented wine is braced by moderate tannins and good acidity for a sense of freshness despite its big size. Best from 2025-2035.

Wine: Heitz, Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Rutherford
Score/Rating: 17/20
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2030
Review Date: 04/17/2024
Reviewed By: Samantha Cole-Johnson
Tasting Notes: Medium ruby with just a touch of purple. Bright, jewelly redcurrant nose with a soft mintiness. Lightweight structure for a Cab with moderate levels of fine-grained tannins. Quite youthful. While 2018 is generally considered the better vintage for Napa generally, 2017 is every bit as good for Heitz Trailside.